King Charles is reportedly considering granting Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, Adelaide Cottage despite mounting pressure from within royal circles to refuse the request. Sources say the King fears that denying her could prompt further controversy.
According to reports, Prince Andrew has been in talks with the monarch regarding the future of the Royal Lodge, the sprawling 30-room mansion he shares with his ex-wife on the Windsor estate. The Duke of York has allegedly proposed an arrangement in which he and Ferguson would receive two smaller royal residences, Frogmore Cottage for himself and Adelaide Cottage for Ferguson, in exchange for surrendering the Royal Lodge.
The proposal has stirred unease among palace insiders, given the couple’s history of public scrutiny and their lingering association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Many within the royal household view the demand as inappropriate, especially amid ongoing efforts by King Charles to slim down the monarchy and reduce its financial burdens.
Royal commentator Rebecca English, writing for the Daily Mail, reported that the King’s hesitation stems less from favoritism and more from a fear of what Ferguson might do if she feels pushed aside. Citing palace sources, English wrote that Charles “is a kind man but his patience has been pushed to the limit.” The insider added, “However, the last thing he also wants is another ‘Spare’ — the vitriolic memoir brought out by his own son, Prince Harry, in 2023.”
The comparison refers to the global controversy surrounding Prince Harry’s bestselling memoir, Spare, which revealed intimate and often unflattering details about the royal family. Palace aides reportedly worry that Ferguson, who has previously written several books, might follow a similar path if she feels mistreated or marginalized.
Despite her past controversies, Ferguson has recently regained a modest degree of royal favor. She was invited to several family events in recent years, including gatherings at Balmoral, signaling a slow return to the fold after years of being excluded from major royal occasions.
Prince Andrew, described as “disgraced” by The Sun due to his past ties to Epstein, has reportedly promised King Charles that he has no plans to release a tell-all memoir of his own. “Andrew won’t write a book like Spare,” a royal source told the outlet.
The negotiations over the Royal Lodge and Adelaide Cottage remain ongoing, with no official decision yet announced by Buckingham Palace. However, those close to the situation say the King is treading carefully — seeking to balance family loyalty with public perception and the reputation of the crown.